Tamperproof food box

Abstract

A re-closable tamperproof food box, including first and second main panels connected with a rear panel, the first main panel forming the bottom and the second main panel forming the top. The first main panel has two side panels and a front panel attached. The second main panel has two side panels and a front panel attached. The second main panel is connected along fourth edge to the rear panel connected along a fourth edge of the first main panel. At least one strip of adhesive is disposed on one of the two opposing side panels and the front panel of the first main panel A perforation is disposed along the second main panel, forming a tear strip. A continuous length of material on an interior surface of the second main panel, to tear through the tear strip.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A re-closable tamperproof food box having a tamper-evident closure, comprising:
 first and second main panels being connected with a rear panel, the first main panel forming the bottom of the food box and the second main panel forming the top of the food box; 
 the first main panel having two opposing side panels attached to first and second edges of the first main panel and a front panel attached to a third edge of the first main panel; 
 the second main panel having two opposing side panels attached to first and second edges of the second main panel and a front panel attached to a third edge of the second main panel; 
 the second main panel being connected along fourth edge to the rear panel connected along a fourth edge of the first main panel; 
 at least one strip of adhesive disposed on one of the two opposing side panels and the front panel of the first main panel; 
 a perforation disposed along the second main panel, coincident with said first, second and third edges of said second main panel, forming a tear strip; and 
 a continuous length of material, comprising one of plastic and string, on an interior surface of the second main panel adjacent to the two opposing side panels and the front panel of the second main panel, extending about at least three sides of the food box and secured to the interior surface directly below the tear strip, to tear through the tear strip. 
 
     
     
       2. The tamperproof food box of  claim 1  wherein,
 the two side panels and front panel of the first main panel are folded upwardly from the first, second and third edges of the first main panel; and 
 the two side panels and front panel of the second main panel are folded downwardly from the first, second and third edges of the second main panel. 
 
     
     
       3. The tamperproof food box of  claim 2  wherein,
 at least one strip of adhesive is disposed on the two opposing side panels and the front panel of the first main panel, whereby when the two side panels and front panel of the first main panel are pressed against the side panels and the front panel of the first second main panel, respectively, they are secured together with the strips of adhesive. 
 
     
     
       4. The tamperproof food box of  claim 3  wherein each of the at least one strip of adhesive is covered with a removable strip of non adhesive liner. 
     
     
       5. The tamperproof food box of  claim 1  constructed of a single sheet of material. 
     
     
       6. The tamperproof food box of  claim 5  formed from a group consisting of corrugated paper material, cardboard, paperboard, and plastic. 
     
     
       7. The tamperproof food box of  claim 1  wherein a pull tab is attached to an end of the continuous length of material, for lifting the length of material such that it separates the tear strip. 
     
     
       8. The re-closable tamperproof food box of  claim 1  further comprising a vent. 
     
     
       9. The re-closable tamperproof food box of  claim 8  further comprising a vent in said second main panel. 
     
     
       10. A re-closable tamperproof take-out food container having a tamper-evident closure, comprising:
 an upper portion forming a top half of the container and a lower portion forming the bottom half of the of the container, being hinged together; 
 an upper panel of the upper portion from which an upper wall extends, the upper wall including a rear upper wall, a front upper wall, and first and second upper side walls which are interconnected; 
 a bottom panel of the lower portion from which a lower wall extends, the lower wall including rear lower wall, a front lower wall, and first and second lower side walls which are interconnected; 
 a hinge located between the rear lower wall attached to the bottom panel and the rear upper wall attached to the top panel for connecting the upper portion and the lower portion, whereby the upper portion folds onto the lower portion; 
 at least one strip of adhesive disposed on one of the first and second lower side walls and the front lower wall; 
 a perforation disposed across a fold joining said front upper wall and said upper panel, said perforation also disposed across folds joining said first and second upper side walls and said upper panel, forming a tear strip; and 
 a continuous length of material, comprising plastic or string, on an interior surface of the upper wall including the front upper wall, and the first and second upper side walls, extending about three sides of the food container and is directly behind the tear strip, to tear through the tear strip 
 wherein said continuous length of material has a width extent substantially less than a width of said tear strip. 
 
     
     
       11. The re-closable tamperproof take-out food container of  claim 10  further comprising a vent. 
     
     
       12. A re-closable tamperproof food box having a tamper-evident closure, comprising:
 first and second main panels which form the top and bottom of the box; 
 the first main panel including two side panels, and front and rear panels folded upwardly from a bottom panel to form the bottom of the box; 
 the second main panel including two side panels, and front and rear panels folded downwardly from a top panel to form the top of the box; 
 at least one strip of adhesive disposed on the two side panels, the front panel and the rear panel of the bottom of the box whereby when the two side panels and the front and rear panel of the top of the box are pressed against the side panels, the front panel and rear panel of the bottom of the box, the top of the box is secured to the bottom of the box; 
 a perforation spanning folds between said top panel and said side and front panels of said second main panel, forming a tear strip; and 
 a continuous length of string material on an interior surface of the second main panel adjacent to the two side panels and the front panel of the second main panel, extending about at least three sides of the food box and secured to the interior surface directly below the tear strip, configured to tear through the tear strip. 
 
     
     
       13. The tamperproof food box of  claim 12  wherein each of the at least one strip of adhesive is covered with a removable strip of non adhesive liner. 
     
     
       14. The re-closable tamperproof food box of  claim 12  further comprising a vent in at least two of said second main panel, said two side panels of said second main panel, said rear panel of said second main panel, and said front panel of said second main panel. 
     
     
       15. A re-closable tamperproof food box having a tamper-evident closure, comprising:
 first and second main panels which form the top and bottom of the box;
 the first main panel including two side panels, and front and rear panels folded upwardly from a bottom panel to form the bottom of the box; 
 the second main panel including two side panels, and front and rear panels folded against an inner surface of a lid panel and then folded downwardly to form the top of the box; 
 at least one strip of adhesive disposed on an inner surface of the two side panels, the front panel and the rear panel of the top of the box whereby when the two side panels and the front and rear panel of the top of the box are pressed against the side panels, the front panel and rear panel of the bottom of the box, the top of the box is secured to the bottom of the box; 
 a perforation disposed along the second main panel, disposed against the two side panels, and disposed against the front panel of the second main panel, forming a tear strip; and 
 a continuous length of material, comprising plastic or string, on an interior surface of the second main panel adjacent to the two side panels and the front panel of the second main panel, extending about at least three sides of the food box and secured to the interior surface directly below the tear strip, to tear through the tear strip, 
 wherein said continuous length of material is configured to apply a force sufficient to tear through the tear strip. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The tamperproof food box of  claim 15  wherein each of the at least one strip of adhesive is covered with a removable strip of non adhesive liner to prevent each of the at least one strip of adhesive from sticking onto the inner surface of the lid panel. 
     
     
       17. The tamperproof food box of  claim 15  further including providing a non-stick surface on the inner surface of the lid panel to prevent each of the at least one strip of adhesive from sticking onto the inner surface of the lid panel. 
     
     
       18. The tamperproof food box of  claim 15  wherein a pull tab is attached to an end of the continuous length of material, for lifting the length of material such that it separates the tear strip. 
     
     
       19. The re-closable tamperproof food box of  claim 15  further comprising a vent. 
     
     
       20. The re-closable tamperproof food box of  claim 19  further comprising a vent in at least one of said side panels.